Tirthankar Mahavir

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

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rid of Karma (action). What he showed was the path of liberation, of getting rid of mental 'slavery'. He sought to dispel the darkness of blind beliefs and rigid customs which imprisoned the soul and prevented one's journey to a higher level of consciousness. He urged people to think before accepting everything blindly and to reject what was worth rejecting. In short, he wanted people to show courage of conviction.
A householder, he said, had also certain duties to perform. A sadhu had to observe five mahavrat (vows) and for the householder he ordained twelve vrat (restraint) - five anuvrat (minor vows pertaining only to lay people) and seven shikshavrat (Supplementary vows). If these are observed scrupulously, a person can be said to have led a meaningful life. Mahavira was not for religious disputes and averred that every opinion had some truth, for truth was relative. He urged people to practise non-violence in conduct, anekant (the doctrine of manifold aspects) in thought and syadvad (the doctrine of qualified assertion) in speech. He said, "Religion is supreme. Non-violence, restraint and penance are its chief attributes. One whose mind is turned to religion is revered even by gods. He stressed the importance of five mahavrat (Basic vows) and they are valid today as they were 2600 years ago.
The first mahavrat is non-violence. He said, "The one you want to kill is your ownself and the one you want to rule over is also your ownself. Therefore a truly enlightened soul will never think of killing anyone or ruling over anyone, nor does he cause pain to anyone." Non-violence is the most basic tenet of the Jain religion. It is the very heart of the religion and the concept of 'live and let live' is its cornerstone. As all beings are equal, it says, everyone should be able to live happily and with no one causing unhappiness to others. Violence results in the formation of karma (action). Bad conduct, lying and indulgence are attributes of violence, truth, astey (non-stealing), celibacy and detachment are attributes of non-violence. Violence is committed not only through action but by thought and deed - as the saying goes, "war is born in the heart of man". Non-violence in thought is reflected in anekant (the doctrine of manifold aspects).
Mahavira's concept of non-violence encompassed the universe - human beings as well as all other organisms. Cruelty is not physical but is innate, inborn. Compassion to all needs to be practised, he said.
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